When we booked our 6-month trip to Australia in the spring of 2022 we thought that would be the only international destination that we’d see for the entire year. Our flights were scheduled to transit through New Zealand, but at the time of booking NZ’s COVID rules said that we couldn’t even leave the transit area. But things changed for the better while we were in Aus, and by the time that we returned to Canada in November we were allowed to enter New Zealand! We had a 14-hour layover between back to back red-eye flights (making the journey home an epic 38 hours door to door), and took advantage of the relaxed entry rules for a quick bus ride to downtown Auckland. We didn’t have the time nor energy to see too much and we certainly hope to see more of New Zealand one day. But when we do, it will be part of our “Second 100” list!